Syracuse hosts sleeper DE for official visit

Mike McAllister

01/25/2015

The Orange have another defensive end target on their radar and he visited over the weekend.

Syracuse had a surprise official visitor over the weekend in Plainfield (N.J.) High defensive end Kenny Carter checked out the Orange campus. CuseNation.com has the inside scoop as we spoke with Carter’s head coach Jason Glezman to about the trip.

”The first thing he said was ‘I don’t want to leave,’” Glezman said. “He really did enjoy his visit. Coach Shafer and the whole program there, one thing they really try to show you is the genuine family atmosphere they have there. It was very evident throughout his visit the level of comfort that Kenny felt being around the coaches, the players and the facilities. That was one of the biggest things for him was feeling comfortable around these people.

”The facilities there speak for themselves. We went to the basketball game and I told him there were 30,000 people there. He’s like, ‘there were 30,000 people there?’ So I told him, ‘yeah man and there’s 50,000 when there are football games, so it’s crazy.’ The new practice facility they have, he kind of got googly eyed when he saw that. He loved it. He loved every second of it. We hope things work out here.”

One big reason for Carter’s interest in Syracuse is the relationship he has developed with him primary recruiter Bobby Acosta, the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. He has visited Carter and maintained that relationship throughout the cycle.

”It’s been great,” Glezman said. “One thing about Syracuse is they were one of the schools that were on Kenny earlier, when he was a junior. They were one of the schools that stuck it out with him. Kenny’s four years of high school haven’t been easy by any means. Syracuse was always there and Kenny and coach Acosta have a good relationship. Both of them are upfront and honest with each other.

”I think that’s where the good communication and the respect that each of them have for each other is based on that. Keeping lines of communication open and it’s a great relationship. Without coach Acosta, I don’t know if we’re still in the picture. He’s been in constant contact with Kenny throughout the whole scenario.”

Carter’s only other verbal offer came from Temple in the summer, but they have since gone in a different direction. UCF has been in contact recently, but have not offered or set up an official visit date yet.

”These schools now are in a position where if they don’t get the guy they want, they’ll bring Kenny in for a visit,” Glezman said. “That’s kind of where we are with Central Florida right now.”

So where do things stand with Syracuse after the conversations Carter and coach Glezman had with the Orange coaches?

”I think they’re working things out on their end,” Glezman said. “They had some kids go visit other schools this past weekend. They’re going to let that play out and then we’ll go from there in regards to Kenny. I think Kenny would be very excited about that opportunity. I think Kenny is just looking for an opportunity to get out of Plainfield.

”The school that is willing to give him that opportunity will get a great young man who is maturing everyday. Not only maturing mentally but maturing physically. Kenny is looking for an opportunity. When a school finally presents it, Kenny will be running through the doors for them.”

Carter has been under the radar to most this cycle. So what type of player is he and why is Syracuse so interested? Coach Glezman believes it’s easy to see when you watch his tape.

”Before the play starts, he’s 6-foot-3, 6-4, 250-pounds,” he said. “He’s got a wingspan I can’t even measure. He’s got size 18 shoes. You look at him right off the bat and physically he’s got all of the tools. When the play happens, you talk about quick twitch at the line of scrimmage guy, he’s so quick off the line and he can penetrate gaps so quickly.

”He uses his speed and athleticism to his advantage. It’s remarkable what he can do there. He’s disruptive. Whether he’s a two, a three, a four guy, wherever he is on the d-line, he’s disruptive. He uses his size to his advantage and that’s what you see on film. He’s just going to get better as he gets older and matures into his body.”